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BARB Test: British Army Roles by GTI Score

Last Updated: 22 February, 2015

Introduction

Through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests the Ministry of Defence (MoD) supplied the following information concerning the British Army Recruit Battery (BARB) test, the results of which generate the General Trainability Index (GTI) score. The GTI score is used to determine which roles are available to prospective soldiers. The maximum score for the BARB test in its current form is 80 points.

The roles and associated GTI scores are divided into:

Combat Troops:

The Cavalry

The Infantry;

Combat Support:

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

The Corps of Engineers

The Royal Corps of Signals

The Army Air Corps

Combat Service Support:

The Royal Logistics Corps

The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Army Medical Services

Adjutants General’s Corps

Intelligence Corps

The Corps of Army Music.

Background

The BARB test is a computer-based, psychometric assessment that was developed by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) and Plymouth University. It is a series of timed questions that assess a candidate’s ability to absorb information quickly, accurately and logically. The computer automatically calculates the candidate’s score, based on the number of correct answers and time taken. The final score is referred to as the GTI score.

All potential recruits to the British Army are required to take BARB on application. It consists of five different tests and takes about 30 minutes to complete, using a touch-screen response system. The tests are:

I’m currently a serving soldier in the infantry and I was wondering if the barb test doesn’t apply after training. As I tried to transfer in training and they said to wait until I got to battalion. I know my barn test wasn’t the best, but I know I could improve on it loads. So my questions are; can I trasfer out of the infantry and into the rlc? (which is where I want to go)
But if my barb score is to low, can I either re take it, or does it not matter?

1. My understanding is the BARB test only applies on entry to the Army.
2. It is not uncommon for Infantry personnel to transfer to CSS trades.
3. You would need to submit an application, ask your Chief Clerk, and then at least attend an interview.
4. Some Corps, for example Intelligence, have a well structured process for in-service transfers.
5. Factors to consider include (but not limited to): your engagement type; age (i.e. time left); and trade you want to transfer to.

Hello i am already a serving soldier as a RLC driver. I was hoping to know do i need my BARB test to re trade a job as i am trasfering from drive to AGC SPS. I am not even sure what marks i got on my BARB when i first joined the army. And do they check your BARB test record when u retrade and can i re test again.

Hi not sure if this is the right place or not. however using the army practice questions I got what I feel are fairly decent scores. I want to join RMP then go into Close Protection, would this be good enough considering I have GCSEs in both English and Maths. Another thing once I take my BARB is it locked in or could I retake it?

If you achieved those scores on the actual test, then the RMP role would be ‘unlocked’. However, you have to understand that a ‘fairly decent’ GTI score is merely one element in the recruitment process. Other factors to consider include:

1. Number of vacancies for the particular role for that year (they may already have reached their quota for that year, so you would have to wait until the following year or opt for your 2nd or 3rd choice).
2. How well you do in the interview process (knowledge of the RMP/Army etc).
3. How strong your application [form] is (what in your application demonstrates a propensity towards police/investigation work?).
4. Any medical issues.
5. Offender history (if you have one; some offences would automatically disbar you from the RMP role).

Hey! Just posted a question in-reagards to the barb test for the infantry. I understand that there is a time limit, so in my case, for the Rifles it’s (26 SE) If I’ve already passed that mark, but have failed to complete the barb test on time, do I get points taken away from me?

Apologies, just moved house & had no internet access. Your final score takes into account the time limit. 26 is the minimum score to join the army. Scores listed on this page are the minimums for each role.

Hi there, I want to join the Royal Artillery either as an Artillery Observer or an Artillery Logistics Specialist. I was just wondering if I have to take the TST test or just the BARB test, Literacy and Numeracy test?

Simple Answer: No.Longer Answer: Candidates for RA jobs are only required to complete the BARB Test, not the TST (list of jobs can be found here). However, if one of your (up to) three choices is on the TST list then you would be required to complete the TST Test as well as the BARB Test.

Hi sorry if this isn’t the right site for this but I’m in process of applying and I’m torn between dental nurse and combat medical technician at the moment I am working on my fitness what is the demand for cmt and is it hard to get accepted.

Simple Answer: Yes (Maybe)!
Longer Answer: There is competition for both roles. Although both sit within the Army Medical Services, Dental Nurse is part of the RAVC and CMT is part of the RAMC. A CMT is more likely to be ‘in the field’ than a Dental Nurse (based purely on my experience working with CMTs).

Questions you may want to ask yourself (and may be asked during the interview process include (but not limited to)):

1. Why you want to join the Medical Services of the British Army, and specifically the Dental Nurse/CMT role?
2. Your achievements so far (link them to your Branch choice, if appropriate/possible)?
3. Your interests (again link, if appropriate/possible)?
4. What do you know about/history of Army Medical Services & and the Dental Nurse/CMT role?
5. Discuss existing qualifications (if you have them and linked to Branch choice).
6. Why would you make a good Dental Nurse/CMT member?
7. Teamwork (think small teams, away on tour a lot etc), and your experience(s) working in a team (as member/leader).

1. The ‘Special Gunfire Observer’ role is non-direct entry (i.e. you cannot join direct from civilian street).
2. Are you joining the British Army or the Royal Navy (RN)?
A. Royal Artillery minimum GTI score is 38.
B. Not sure what the RN Signals minimum score is.

“Good for promotion”, I’m afraid to say, is a very subjective expression. It is quite common for soldiers to transfer from the combat arms to the combat service support Corps. One of my old SSMs was ex-Infantry (Guards I believe and transferred as a fullscrew), one of my old Chief Clerks was ex-Para Regt (again transferred as a fullscrew), yet another transferred from the LI (again as a fullscrew). In my (observational) experience ex-combat arms personnel seem to do well regardless of their ‘new’ chosen trade.

You’re question seems confused. Are you looking for a trade for when you leave the Army or a trade to help you get promoted, or both? For those personnel who aspire to higher rank (e.g. SNCO/WO), filling an E2 (non-trade, any cap-badge) post rather than an E1 (own cap-badge) post can be viewed more positively by Reporting Officers (ROs) when producing an individual’s Annual Appraisal or OJAR.

As stated above: The computer automatically calculates the candidate’s score, based on the number of correct answers and time taken. You need to do well in all sections of the test, practice with some of the (free) online material/tests; for example at the MOD website.

Hello,
I am a 32 year old female and I have signed up to join the reserves as a HR Specialist. I have chosen to be work within a REME unit, based close to to my home town. Can anybody please tell me if I will have to take the extra maths TST test at ADSC? or will I just have to do the standard BARRB, Numeracy and Literature Tests at the Careers Recruitment centre? Any help much appreciated.
Gemma

Only candidates hoping to go into technical trades within the Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, or the Royal Logistic Corps as an Ammunition Technician, in any of their 3 job choices, will have to take and pass a Technical Selection Test (TST).

What is the relationship between the GTI score and cognitive ability ? Today’s equipment is becoming incredibly complicated and the amount of information being sent to the user can overburden the individual with data that requires a decision or action. Specifically, mounted platforms which are currently being procured for the infantry and cavalry will be using state of the art technology. Is there a review of the GTI scores awarded to the infantryman who could find himself on a mounted platform as complicated as the SCOUT platform.

Short Answer: Yes
Longer Answer: On an almost continual basis the British Army, and MOD generally, conduct research regarding the recruitment and selection process of future military personnel. I have uploaded a number of documents, at the top of this page, that outlines some of the work being undertaken. You may find documents 2, 3 and 4 the most useful. Unfortunately, I believe the Infantry GTI score will continue to be one of the lower scores despite the increased technical nature of the roles within Infantry.

1) Combat Medical Technician (CMT), part of the RAMC, is 52
2) Technical Support Specialist, part of REME, is 48

Although an individual requires a minimum standard of maths and English to apply for the British Army (same principle for the other Services), the BARB test is used as the standard method of assessment (because it is perceived as fair and as a level playing field). The score you achieve on the BARB test will determine the jobs/roles open to you.

In service transfers (moving from one trade to another when a fully trained soldier) is possible. Transfers from the Infantry to CSS (e.g. the RLC) are not uncommon. The Intelligence Corps has a structured process for in service transfers, as do a number of other Corps.